David Wells reacted in disbelief yesterday after being hit with a seven-game suspension stemming from Saturday's run-in with plate umpire Ed Hickox during a nationally televised game at Petco Park.

JIM BAIRD / Union-Tribune

David Wells, upset with calls by home plate umpire Ed Hickox, is ejected from last Saturday's game.

Wells was ejected by Hickox in the fourth inning during a confrontation over balls-and-strikes calls.

Wells, who was also fined $3,000 yesterday, said he would appeal the suspension handed down by Bob Watson, Major League Baseball's vice president of discipline.

“They are changing the game of baseball,” Wells said. “We should all put on skirts and throw underhand. If they're going to do that, call it softball. A seven-game suspension is absolutely crazy. I don't get it. I doubt I ever will.”

Wells was upset about the official letter from Watson, which the pitcher posted on a wall in the Padres clubhouse.

Among things cited by Watson in the letter were claims that Wells “ran up to Hickox” . . . “sprayed him with saliva” . . . “violently threw a baseball against the backstop” and the pitcher's “violent and aggressive actions” showed “reckless disregard for safety.”

“That letter bothers me a lot,” Wells said. “It's amazing how they make up so much stuff. It shows what kind of a guy Bob Watson is toward me. That's where my beefs are at. Some of it is fiction. Maybe we need to take this to Congress or Superior Court.”

Wells called Watson a “henchman” and “yes man” for Commissioner Bud Selig and said “no one has ever gotten a seven-game suspension for something like this . . . there's no justification.

“There should have been a fine and a one-or two-game suspension. Why not suspend me for 30 games, or kick me out of the game? I know Bob Watson holds (a grudge) big-time with me because they wanted to sign me when he was with the Yankees and I didn't.”

Wells said Saturday marked the first time he's been thrown out when he didn't curse first.

The confrontation started when Wells walked toward the plate after Atlanta's Jeff Francoeur hit a two-run homer.

Wells said he approached Hickox because he didn't think he got calls on a couple of earlier pitches to Francoeur.

“I was asking where the pitches were at,” Wells said. “I wasn't arguing. I've got to know so I can make adjustments. I said be fair to both sides. That's when he told me to get the (expletive) back to the mound. He swore first.

“To be fair to both sides, (Hickox) should be suspended, too. I think I've talked with every umpire in every start. I've got the right to speak and ask questions.”

After the ejection, Wells yelled angrily and fired a ball against the backstop. Watson cited the throw as a prime reason for the suspension. “I flung it,” said Wells. “I didn't throw it hard.”

The suspension is the third issued to a Padres player this season. Catcher Josh Bard's appeal of a three-game suspension has yet to be heard. Pitcher Chris Young serves the final day of his five-game suspension today.

The Padres deftly scheduled Young's suspension around the All-Star break so the right-hander didn't actually miss a start. The seven-game suspension would force Wells to miss a start.

Miscellany

Jake Peavy's first start of the second half will be moved back from Sunday to Tuesday. “I have a little ache in my biceps,” Peavy said. “It's nothing I haven't had before.” Said manager Bud Black: “After talking to Jake it was in the best interest for him and the club to move him back a couple of days.”